Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Improvin, -en, p.p.¹ (and ppl. a.). [P.p. of Impreve v. and Improve v. Cf. Provin and Approvin.]

1. Disproved. a. Of legal deeds, etc.: Proved to be forged. b. In general use, Refuted.a. 1596 Waus Corr. 526.
To heir and se the register in that part … improvin as forgit and fenyet 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 122.
The direct maner of improbation, be the witnes insert in the wreit quhilk is taken to be improven 1617 Acts IV. 546/1.
In all caces except where the writtis so registrated ar offered to be improvin 1661 Decis. Lords G. 4.
The samen bonds being undertaken to be improven by Lambertoun's son and relick 1681 Stair Inst. iv. xx. § 23.
lf they [sc. the witnesses] deny that to be their hand writ … the writ will be improvenb. 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 57.
The pernicious heresie of the Nestorianis … vas improuin be S. Cyrill a1670 Scot Staggering State (1754) 43.
That it [a falsehood] might neuer be gotten improven

2. (Also ppl. a.) Of persons: Convicted of preparing or presenting fraudulent or spurious writs or warrants; discredited in this way. 1563 Acts II. 542/2.
Swa that the notaris geuaris thairof be loyall not improuin nor defamit befoir the geuing of sic sesingis 1622-6 Bisset I. 218/21.
Anentis falsieris, produceris … of fals writtis … , beand challanged or improvin, … salbe punised as falsed Ib. 234/4.
Anent improvin messingeris executand thereftir